Munch the hamster rescued by firefighters

It was a job for the fire brigade when Munch the mischievous hamster went exploring his new home in Telford – and got stuck in his activity centre.

The porky pet tried to clamber through a hole in the plastic play equipment in his cage, but found he was too fat to fit and owner Lois Clear came home to find him wedged in tight.

The 20-year-old Manchester University student, of Holyhead Road, Ketley, said she bought Munch on Sunday after her other hamster died two weeks ago.

“I had left him playing quite happily yesterday, but when I came home there he was, stuck,” she said.

“I tried coaxing him, pushing him, pulling him and squeezing him, but nothing worked.”

Her mum Jo then had the idea of trying to cut away some of the plastic, but when she appeared with a carving knife Lois got the wrong idea and pleaded with her to get help.

Mrs Clear said: “I knew if I phoned the fire brigade they would not appreciate coming out, so we drove to Telford Central fire station with Munch at about 8pm yesterday.

“The guys there were lovely and really helpful. They chatted about using washing up liquid to help slide Munch out or using cutting equipment.

“In the end, one of the men managed eventually to manoeuvre him clear, although Munch wasn’t very happy about the rescue operation.”

Watch manager Tony Druce said Munch had been somewhat “feisty” while efforts were made to free him, but said he emerged none the worse for his ordeal.